2007年12月31日星期一

About blood tests and treatment in diabetes

In order to determine if a person has diabetes, there are some blood tests that can be performed.
To perform the fasting glucose test, the doctor will take blood from a vein in the patients arm, but it is important that the patient has not eaten in the last 8 hours. The red blood cells are separated from the sample, and in the remaining plasma it is measured the amount of glucose. Diabetes can be indicated by a plasma level of 7.8 mmol/L or greater. To confirm the results, this test must be taken again in another day.
In postprandial glucose test, the blood must be taken right after the patient has eaten a meal.
In what concerns the oral glucose tolerance test, there are taken blood samples from a vein before and after a patient drinks a thick, sweet syrup of glucose and other sugars. It is known that in a non-diabetic, immediately after the drink the glucose level in the blood goes up, but then decreases gradually, because the insulin is used by the body to metabolize or absorb the sugar. In a diabetic, the things are different: the glucose level in the blood goes up and stays high after drinking the liquid. When it had passed two hours after drinking the syrup, and also at a point during the two-hour test period, a plasma glucose level of 11.1 mmol/L or higher confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
The doctors can say a patient has diabetes if there are symptoms of diabetes and a plasma glucose level of at least 11.1 mmol/L, a fasting plasma glucose level of at least 7 mmol/L, or a two-hour plasma glucose level of at least 11.1 mmol/L during an oral glucose tolerance test.
Patients with diabetes can monitor their own blood glucose levels with the help of some home blood glucose monitoring kits.

It is known that there is no cure for diabetes, but patients can live a relatively normal life if they are carefully managing the condition. The treatment for diabetes has as main purposes preventing the long-term complications, and keeping blood glucose within normal range.
The use of insulin or oral medications are important in preventing complications of diabetes, but a careful monitored diet and exercise are also important.
In many cases of type II diabetes, loosing weight is important. There must be followed a diet that consists in 50-60% of calories from carbohydrates, approximately 10-20% of calories from protein, and calories from fat should be less than 30%. It is known that the number of calories depends on the age of the patient, but also depends on the activity level and weight.
A nutritionist or dietitian should be consulted, and there can be made a diet plan for each individual.
In order to lower the blood glucose levels in type II diabetes, there can be used oral medications. Usually, the first drugs prescribed for type II diabetes are in a class of compounds called sulfonylureas. We can mention tolbutamide, tolazamide, acetohexamide, and chlorpropamide. Glyburide, glimeperide, and glipizide are some newer drugs, that are included in the same class mentioned before. Seems that the role of these drugs is to stimulate pancreas cells to produce more insulin.
There also appeared some new medications to treat diabetes: metformin, acarbose, and troglitizone. It is known that all drugs have side effects: can stimulate weight gain, cause stomach irritation, or present increased risk in other situations.
It is known that there are made constant advances in the development of new oral medications for patients with diabetes. For example, in 2003 was developed Metaglip, a combination between glipizide and metformin. There was approved another drug, Avandamet, which combines metformin and rosiglitazone.
There exist a lot of drugs nowadays, and the doctor will decide which suits best for every individual.

It is known that patients with type I diabetes need daily insulin injections, to help their body use glucose; the amount and type of insulin depends on every individual. In what concerns the patients having type II diabetes, some of them may need to take insulin injections if they cannot control their diabetes with diet, exercise, and oral medication.
Usually, the most commonly used is the purified human insulin, but there exists also insulin from beef and pork. There can be mixed different types of insulin and given in one dose or split into two or more doses during a day. Also, insulin pump can be used in patients who need multiple injections over a day. Regular insulin is fast-acting, starts to work within 15-30 minutes, has a peak- effect at about 2 hours after it is injected, and the effect lasts 4-6 hours. Neutral protamine Hagedorn and Lente insulin are intermediate-acting, start to work within one to three hours, and last for 18-26 hours; ultra-lente, a long lasting form of insulin starts to work within four to eight hours and lasts 28-36 hours.

Alcohol consumption, too much insulin, too little food or increased exercise can lead to hypoglycemia, and the person having this may be hungry, cranky, confused, and tired. There ca appear other symptoms as well.
In what concerns surgery, the transplantation of a healthy pancreas into a diabetic patient is a successful treatment, but it is not clear if the potential benefits outweigh the risks of the surgery and drug therapy needed.

Lexus IS-F To Debut At Geneva Motor Show


Lexus is presenting the European premiere of its new F-marque called the IS-F. The said model will make its debut at this years Geneva Motor Show.

Genevas auto center stage is preparing for the introduction of the IS-F as a sports saloon from the fast-rising division of the Toyota Motor Corp. The center stage will also be shared with the LF-A supercar concept.

For ultra-high performance and exceptional sports driving dynamics, Lexus will is setting the F designation to mark its specially engineered cars. The F-badged models radiate power and outstanding handling as well as driving dynamics. To further emphasize its capabilities and potentials, Lexus engaged in the pursuit towards perfects. This venture, which is aimed at pushing the limits of automotive engineering, is now being recognized by the global auto industry.

The Lexus IS-F is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 that is capable of generating over 400 DIN horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. The acceleration of the car from rest to 62mph could reach top speed in a matter of 4.9 seconds. Aside from the remarkable engine power, it also boasts of its environment-friendly nature. The carbon dioxide emissions of 290g/km made the Lexus IS-F one of the cleanest sports saloons in its class - it is also one of the most powerful.

The IS-F sedan, which debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January, does not only boast the two-stage intake system, engine oil and transmission fluid coolers and an oil pump designed for high-speed cornering, it offers more captivating features to lure even the young generation of drivers. The latter are said to be more meticulous in choosing cars.

The transmission of the car is based on the automakers world-first eight-speed automatic. The said feature debuted last year in the new Lexus LS460. Now, it is especially tuned for the Lexus IS-F with a new sports shift control. The latter allows the driver to pick a manual mode by just using the fully automatic gear selection or the paddle shifts on the steering wheel. To get the quickest up-shifting accessible for the segment at 100 milliseconds, the driver can opt to use the sports shift control.

The sporty character of the car is enhanced by the switchable VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) feature. The latter allows the driver to choose Normal, Sport or Off settings depending on his discretion.

The Lexus LF-A supercar concept, on the other hand, is the product of the automakers sports engineering teams success in formulating a new and practical approach to auto design engineering for a more compact and fuel-efficient supercar concept powered by a 5.0-litre V10.

The LF-A concept measures 4,400mm in length. So far, it is the most compact and most powerful car in the Lexus lineup. The racing-inspired V10 engine produces over 500 DIN horsepower, giving the car a top speed of approximately 200mph. The forward/mid-engine location with rear-mounted transaxle and radiators gives the car ideal front/rear weight distribution and splendid handling exactitude. The V10 is further boosted by the efficient Lexus cold air intake providing cool breeze to achieve utmost engine efficiency.

Both the Lexus IS-F and the LF-A showcase the advancement in auto technology of Lexus as a result of rigorous studies and testing by its pool of engineers. The remarkable standing of the automaker is also highly-commended in the hybrid manufacture. The Lexus hybrid system is a combination of refinement and sophistication. These qualities are obvious in both the Lexus IS-F and the Lexus LF-A.

The automakers auto parts blended with the distinct qualities of Lexus make smooth, catchy, powerful and flexible luxury cars for every one to take pleasure in driving.

Herbal Remedy for Erectile Dysfunction- 5 Reasons to try Natural Cure before Medication

"It's about changing yourself from the inside out, so that being fit and healthy for you is as natural and as normal as breathing," Dr. Phil writes in his newest book, The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom. And as I read those words, I couldn't help but think that Dr. Phil would probably endorse a natural cure for impotence too. Because the same principles that have shown to shed pounds for millions are the same principles that work with a natural cure for male impotence.

Are you suffering from an erectile dysfunction? Are you worried about taking erectile dysfunction medication because of the side-effects like vision loss or hearing loss? Are you interested in 5 reasons to naturally cure impotence?

Dr. Phil is Right!

To say in bluntly, Dr. Phil has partly revolutionized the health industry. He is a man who knows what he is talking about. And as I read his book on weight loss, I couldn't help but to agree with him on everyone of his points. Dr. Phil believes in people and he believes that people can change if knowing how to change. And so can their bodies!

And I would say that he knows the human body was not suppose to run off of synthetic medications that cause side-effects that are worse than the ailment itself. In the case of erectile dysfunction medication, the side-effect of hearing loss and vision loss is much worse than the inability of getting it up.

Therefore, I would like to give you 5 reasons you can start treatment today and naturally get more circulation downstairs for your next appointment. And I would like to note that these tips are not going to just aid in erectile dysfunctions. But they will also assist in your overall health; leaving you feeling 15 years younger. In fact, I have thousands of testimonials from men who have chucked their E.D. medication and went natural. And their only regret, 'Why didn't I do this sooner?'

7 Reasons to try an Impotence Natural Cure instead of E.D. Medication

1.Your body tells you if you need to change something. And if you have an erectile dysfunction, there might be something you need to change. In other words, you need to make changes in your health habits to correct the problem. It might be your nutritional habits or your exercise habits or your vitamin habits. But taking Viagra, Levitra, Cialis without making those changes can actually kill you if you are not careful. The problem is that after nine months after Viagra was first approved, 128 people reportedly died after taking the medication, including 80 traced to a heart attack or stroke. Bottom line, the natural cure fixes the problem and medication hides the problem.

2.Psychological Problems- Men are men and we need to conquer. By allowing a pill to fix our problem, it can be pretty devastating to our male-ego. In fact, there have been reported psychological problems caused by medication fixes. Though, Viagra might seem like a quick-fix, it could create a bigger problem than impotence. Impotence is a do-it-yourself fixer!

3.Circulation- Most often male impotence is caused because of a circulation problem, namely a lack of circulation. With this said, the medication does pump ample circulation downstairs for a certain time period. However, circulation could be called the fountain of youth because it is vital to feeling, looking and being youthful. As you get older, your circulation decreases drastically. However, the natural cure for impotence blasts circulation downstairs through nutrition, supplements, exercise and even fun breathing exercises you can do at work.

4.Herbal Remedy for Erectile Dysfunction- "Supplements of the herb ginkgo, found in most health food stores, can improve blood flow to the arteries and veins, which may help reverse impotence," says herbalist James Green, Director of the California School of Herbal Studies. But there are 5 more herbs you can also be taking for a natural cure.

5.Food Therapy- In other words, what you eat can drastically help or hinder your body. By eating a low-fat, low-cholesterol, high-fiber diet, you can allow your body to begin cleansing itself. In a matter of weeks, you will find yourself feeling healthier and feeling younger. This is because of fewer toxins, less impurities, and less cholesterol build-up in the arteries.

20 More Reasons to Go Natural

Are you in the least bit interested? If you are even considering a natural cure then there are 20 more reasons and remedies that might convince you to. And finally, our natural cure is guaranteed to have the results you want or you don't pay a cent. To discover how you can be impotent free in weeks, please visit our Erectile Dysfunction Natural Cure Website and join the thousands who are E.D.-free. You are just clicks away too!

Erectile Dysfunction Natural Cure

2007年12月30日星期日

Sexual health, medication and solutions

Sexual Health

Sexual discussions are no longer a taboo. This is because peoples inhibitions regarding sexual health have been shed and almost everyone is now keen on improving their sexual health. Read ahead and find out which product suits your need the best

Penis Enlargement Pills

Every man is secretly apprehensive about his penis size and wishes to do something about it. This problem of apprehension and worry can be easily solved by various penis enlargement products available online.

Choose from the wide range of penis enlargement pills, patches and pumps. If you are not comfortable taking pills and applying patches on your body, you can choose a penis enlargement pump. But if pumps and other penis enlargement devices scare the hell out of you, choose penis enlargement pills and penis enlargement patches.

The best penis enlargement products online are VigRx capsules, V-Rx capsules and patches, Jes Extender and Handsome Up Penis Enlargement Pump.

Breast Enlargement

For ages, women have been wishing for bigger and fuller breasts. Many-a-woman spent sleepless nights worried about her breast size and thinking about methods of enlarging them.

All their wishes went unfulfilled until few years back. However, since the last five years breast enlargement has no longer been a dream but become a reality. Women can go for breast enlargement without having to go for expensive surgeries. One of the best methods of breast enlargement is Grobust.

Grobust breast enlargement formula has been around for over five years now and women are actually swearing by it. The all-natural, clinically proven breast enlargement formula is now yours for taking.

Nipple Enlargement Kit

Many a times, the size of their nipples is a big issue for men as well as women. If you feel your nipple size is not as big as you would like, go for nipple enlargement. Larger nipples can be more enticing and tempting and hence you will find your partner more attracted towards you than ever before.

Nipple enlargement kits not only help with nipple enlargement but also nipple sensitisation. Nipple enlargement kits help in increasing the sensitivity of your nipples, thereby escalating the pleasure of foreplay and enhancing the satisfaction derived from sexual activities.

With a nipple enlargement kit you will not only ensure your partners but also your increased pleasure and satisfaction.

V-Rx Female

Womens sexual problems are not caused by a single factor. There are myriad reasons because of which women may feel less inclined towards sex. The main reason being the constant hormonal changes taking place in her body throughout the month.

V-Rx Female is the leading herbal Female Viagra. V-Rx Female is made up of natural ingredients only and helps incredibly with libido problems and virility. V-Rx Female helps increase sex-drive by maintaining the right balance of hormones.

Female Viagra does not work like male Viagra where one pill taken before sexual activity suffices. V-Rx Female is a daily supplement intended to help women achieve natural hormonal balance throughout the month. Female Viagra reduces the ups and downs experienced with the menstrual cycle and increases sex-drive.

What My Grandpa Taught Me About How To Succeed In My Online Business

Yep, I learned a lot about operating a successful online business from my grandpa's generation. I think back to how things were done when I was a boy, and I still see brilliance in their advertising methods and techniques.

Some people stake their business' future only on Internet advertising and communications. While both are effective, gramps taught me that it was very important to keep the name of your business in front of your customers at all times, in the most economical ways possible.

My Grandpa's Service Station

Gramps owned his own service station, and he had loads of loyal customers who only bought gas from his station and only had their auto repairs done in his garage.

Gramps knew the names of most of his customers, and he called each by name when he greeted them.

Gramps sometimes ran advertising on his local radio station to attract new customers to his business. But hands down, his most effective advertising tool was something we now call viral marketing. He gave his customers such exceptional service in such a friendly environment that his customers spread the word about his business for him, at no additional cost to him.

Gramps hired folks to help him pump the gas, and all of his employees knew the importance of greeting his customers by name and helping them keep their cars running smoothly. My grandpa even hired mechanics that were exceptionally qualified to repair his customer's vehicles.

Gramps' customers knew that if his crew suggested a mechanical repair for their vehicle, they knew that the repair really needed to be made. And they also knew that gramps' people would be able to do the repair correctly and on-budget. Gramps' customers trusted him and his advice with every fiber of their being, because gramps always looked out for the best interests of his customers.

Capturing Those Special Moments

My grandpa would keep a camera around his service station to capture those special moments with his customers and crew. And then he would keep those special memories around for everyone to enjoy.

The thing that I remember most about my grandpa's gas station is those calendars grandpa did every year. During the entire months of December, January and while supplies lasted into February, gramps would give out a copy of his own calendar to each of his customers. I even had one in my own room at home every year as I was growing up.

Each year, the best moments of the previous year were passed around to all of grandpa's customers. It was always such a thrill to go to a store or to a friends' house and see my grandpa's calendar hanging on the wall.

The brilliance in grandpa's calendars was that every time someone wanted to check the date, they would be reminded of grandpa's gas station and they would see the faces of people they recognized from his gas station.

Grandpa successfully implemented many methods designed to keep the name of his business in people's minds, as economically as possible. His calendars were just one example of his brilliant advertising at work.

Commemorating Those Special Days

Grandpa had what I refer to as a photographic memory. In my world, it is a photographic memory, but in his world, I think he just truly loved people.

I was always amazed when I went to spend my summer days at his service station. Grandpa knew the name of all of his customers, and he also knew the names of his customers' family members.

To my amazement, grandpa also always seemed to know what was going on in the lives of his customers' families. I would spend my summers working at his gas station, and while I was pumping gas, he would carry lengthy conversations with his customers. I simply did not understand how he could keep up with the lives of so many people. He would ask about Billy, Bob and Mary, and he would be able to ask about the activities that were special to each.

Going The Extra Mile Was A Family Affair

I did not fully realize until I was older, but gramps kept fantastic records and then reviewed his notes regularly. When he would learn the name of a new child, he would jot that name down in his notebook that documented the information that he knew about his customers. Then, grandpa would spend a few hours every Sunday afternoon reviewing his notes, and after a few months of review, he would know his subject matter better than anyone. Grandma's commitment was to the family and to keep an eye to marriage announcements and death announcements in the newspaper, to help grandpa stay up-to-date on the lives of his customers.

The truth is that grandpa did not have a better memory than I did. Instead, grandpa had a stronger commitment to his friends and customer's.

Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, we would all sit around with grandma and grandpa and help gramps update his address book on all of his customers. We would double-check his notes and the phone book to get the current address for all of his customers in his notebooks.

Thursday morning was dedicated to updating addresses, and then we would eat and celebrate the holiday. On Friday morning, we would wrap up the address updates. On Friday afternoon, we would play a game of tag football. Then the family would spend the day on Saturday writing Christmas cards for all of his customers. Grandpa would sign every one of them himself. On Thanksgiving Sunday, we would go to church. After lunch, we would sit down around the living room and put stamps on the Christmas cards we made the day before.

"From my family to yours, have a Merry Christmas." Those words have such a special meaning to me.

At the beginning of every December, grandpa would take his booty to the Post Office to save his mailman the pain of carrying such a huge load.

The Passing Of A Bright Torch

When I was fourteen, my grandpa passed away. As you might imagine, his funeral was a major event in our hometown. It was astonishing to see so many people come to pay their respects to my grandmother and our family.

Unfortunately, my parents and my aunts and uncles all had their own lives separate from the service station. So, it was decided when my grandpa passed away that his livelihood would be sold to the highest bidder. My grandmother was set for the remaining years of her life.

An individual hoping to reap the profits of my grandfather's legacy purchased the business. Although that person had the cash to buy the business, that person did not have my grandfather's business savvy. The service station did not survive its new owner. Now and again, I drive by that location where I spent many summers. The building still stands where it has always stood, but the service bays remain empty and the closed sign is starting to fade away. It has now been years since a business operated in that location.

Lessons From An Older Generation

In my own online business, I try to practice the lessons learned from my grandfather. Gramps left his mark on my life, although he has been gone for decades. I remember, and I try to put into practice the things that my grandpa had taught me about running a successful business.

Even in this new age of the Internet, I have learned that calendars and Christmas cards have as much power today as they did three decades ago. My customers appreciate my business, because we take the time to go that extra mile, just for them.

Volvo V70: History In The Making

Volvo, in its 54 years of unbroken commitment to refinement, improvement and safety, is set to release the all-new V70. The wagon, which is scheduled to be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, is said to be Volvos history in the making. The Volvo V70 epitomizes the balance between safety, luxury and versatility that could serve as standard for wagons.

This segment has been our specialty ever since we invented it back in the 1950s," said Fredrik Arp, Volvo Cars President and CEO. "Our competitors can count on us remaining number one in the future, too. In the all-new V70, rear passengers and luggage both ride in first class.

The wagon segment is noticeably growing in Europe. The demands are increasing and the shift to wagons is apparent. Todays wagons are evolving but it is made without compromising comfort, driving dynamics and style. According to analysts, this is because sedan owners could now appreciate the added versatility of wagons. Basically, the concept of the wagon has not changed. But buyer certainly has.

The attitude towards the modern wagon has undergone a significant change. With greater focus on design and comfort, the all-new V70 is both luxurious and practical. It's not just for families with growing children but also for active people that demand everything of their cars. In fact, we expect that half of all V70 buyers wont actually be families with children, Arp said.

The Volvo V70 is built in a completely new architecture. The latter gave the new version greater edge over the current version of the wagon. The upcoming Volvo V70 is equipped with six-cylinder engine beneath the sculpted hood. The engine is complemented by an equally-efficient Volvo fuel pump to pave way for a smooth and hassle-free ride. The efficient new 3.2-liter inline-6 engine produces 235 horsepower. Compared to the current Volvo V70, the upcoming version is made spacious. The latter also offers dual built-in child booster cushions that can be adjusted in two stages. The feature is suited to those families with young children.

To boost protection, the Volvo V70 is given extended inflatable curtains mated to booster cushions and the strong body side structure. These features provide superb protection in side impact. The comfy features of the wagon have also been enhanced using wonderful seats blended to ergonomically designed instruments. The package also includes the stylish, super-slim center console, world-class audio system and the distinct Scandinavian style of the automaker.

Enthusiasts say that the Volvo V70 is stunning inside and out. This is because of the automakers brand development plan. Volvo wagons have significantly evolved with time. They have been continuously modified since 1953 when the automaker introduced the PV 445 to the industry. With regards all-new Volvo V70, each design detail is focused on intelligent functionality and clean form.

Smart and functional details allow the owners of the car to entertain his eccentricities to suit his specific needs. The most flexible in the segment is the rear seats 40/20/40 split. Other breath-taking features include lightweight backrest, simple folding mechanism, optional power tailgate, sliding load floor and a storage compartment under the luggage area floor. The compartment locks when the tailgate is shut.

To add a distinctive sporty stance, the all-new V70 features a unique soft nose with a black egg-crate grille having chrome in the vertical bars, LED brake lights and a C30-like tailgate. The tailgate glass window goes further down for extra rearward visibility. The climbing waistline also adds to the forward-leaning, vibrant posture which is further reinforced with the aid of the black pillars between the side windows.

2007年12月29日星期六

Corporations Seriously Looking at Alternative Energy

It was recently reported that supermodel Gisele Bundchen refused to be paid in U.S. dollars, because of uncertainty over its strength. She instead, asked to be paid in euros.

In his new music video for the movie "American Gangster," best selling rapper Jay-Z flaunts the euro, not the dollar, to showcase his wealth.

Recently when asked "What is the best currency in the world to own right now?", billionaire Warren Buffet replied, "Not the u.S. dollar."

The examples above speak volumes about what many people with money, lots of money, think about the value of today's dollar. And many of them are beginning to hedge their bets with respect to the dollar. But what does all of this have to do with renewable energy resources?

If the dollar continues to be weak against other currencies, it will produce many unpredictable side effects. But one side effect that is almost certain to happen is a rise in the prices of traditional energy resources. All imports, but specifically oil and gasoline, will become more expensive. The days of $1.20 a gallon for gas are probably gone forever.

Grid Parity and Energy Prices

Grid parity is the point at which it becomes cheaper to produce your own electricity, from photovoltaic cells using solar power, than it is to buy it from power companies off of the electrical grid. As energy prices rise, more and more people will find themselves reaching grid parity.

Until very recently, the prospect of a community reaching grid parity any time soon seemed like a remote possibility. However, as energy prices have risen, some places in the U.S. have already reached that point. As of 2007, Hawaii has reached grid parity with the peak charging rates. Parts of California, particularly Northern California, have reached gird parity as well. As energy prices continue to rise, in large part due to the dollars devaluation, we'll see many more communities reaching grid parity.

But there is also an inverse price relationship happening with solar power and oil. As the price of oil slowly increases, the prices of photovoltaic cells are slowly decreasing. Companies are becoming more efficient at producing solar cells thus enabling them to be sold at lower price points. In addition, the solar cells themselves are becoming more efficient solar collectors, which let's the home or business owner save even more money.

And, of course, other factors pushing us towards greater uses of solar cell technology are the looming worries of global warming and the pressing need to decrease greenhouse gasses being released into the atmosphere.

Are corporations betting on solar power? One such company, SunPower, which makes photovoltaic panels for businesses, expects to pull in over one billion dollars in sales next year. Solar Power Inc. had revenues of over 8 million dollars in it's third quarter alone. Solar power companies in foreign countries such as Germany, Japan, and China have ramped up their solar power production facilities dramatically in the past few years.

For the past several years the U.S. has been borrowing money with reckless abandon. We have a national debt of over 9 trillion dollars. Now, the rest of the world is slowly deciding that they no longer want to bankroll us. For us, that means a continued low valued dollar and increased energy costs.

Halloween Celebrations With Little Children

Little children enjoy Halloween just as much as teenagers do. Small children really like trick-or-treating, buying costumes and hanging out with friends for most of the afternoon. They also like to decorate the house as long as the decorations are not too scary. One of the best things that children like about Halloween is being able to keep all of the candy that they get from all of the houses that they go to for a very brief visit.

Getting little children ready for Halloween and the parties during the day and night can be a lot of fun. The first thing that parents will ask a child is what they want to be on this particular Halloween. Armed with that answer the parents will embark on a shopping trip with their child to find them the best Halloween costume in town. Parents also learn that buying these costumes is not cheap. But if a scary costume will make their child happy they are more than happy to oblige them.

A the child has the greatest costume in the world, the parents can then devote their attentions to decorating the inside of the house in the typical Halloween colors of orange and black. The children can provide decorations after a few hours of drawing and cutting and by the end of the afternoon, the house will look scary and full of gloom. Some people extend the gloomy atmosphere to the outside of their home too.

Parents find that pumpkins make great decorations for the outside of the home. The smell of these garden vegetables can be smelled by everyone who comes up the driveway and the scary faces that can be carved into them will all be unique and quite delightful to every visitor that walks up the path that night. Some parents add to the mystery by filling garbage bags shaped like ghost and goblins and lay their bodies all over the yard.

Little children will have a great time answering the door on Halloween. They prepare for this new job by stuffing candies into plastic bags that are small enough for the little hands that will be receiving them. By the end of the night, all of the neighborhood children will hold them in their own bags and after parents check them at home they can delight in the contents of the bags for days on end.

Enjoying Halloween with small children will create memories that will last a lifetime. Every Halloween will hold something special for a child to look back on with fun and delight and they will especially remember the tummy aches they got on the night that they ate too much candy that they got from the houses on one Halloween stroll up the dark and eerie streets.

2007年12月28日星期五

The Relationship Between Heart Disease And Kidney Disease

When you suffer from some type of heart disease, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be very difficult. We all need to eat healthy, maintain a good regular exercise routine and have regular checkups from our health care provider. When heart disease is not managed well the effects on our kidneys can be catastrophic.

The kidneys job is to filter the blood to remove carcinogens that we take in daily through the ingesting of out highly refined and processed foods. In addition it also removes excess fluid from the blood stream. The kidneys filter the waist products from the blood stream by using the natural pressure of the blood supply.

When this excess fluid is not being remove then the heart will have to work harder to pump the blood throughout our bodies by increasing our blood pressure. Higher blood pressure will cause more damage to our kidneys causing less fluid and toxins being removed from the blood stream.
As you can see the cycle of the heart damaging the kidneys which in turn cause more damage to the heart is a leading cause of death for patients suffering from heart disease. This viscous cycle must be control as soon as possible before permanent damage is done to the effected organs.

The leading causes of kidney disease are as follows:

Decreased blood flow to the kidney is usually caused by clogged arteries. Arteriosclerosis, congestive heart disease, plaques or fatty deposits containing large quantities of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood stream can all cause a decreased blood flow to the kidneys.

Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN) is the death of tissue do to a loss of oxygen to the kidney. Long term decreased of oxygen to the kidney can be caused by congestive heart disease, clogged arteries, anemia, iron deficiency, cycles cell anemia and infections such as acute septicemia. Short term loss of oxygen to the kidney can be caused a heart attack or by direct kidney injury.

Damage to the kidneys can be the result of over exposure to metals, solvents, drugs and other pollutants.

Excessive amounts of alcohol will cause death of muscle and organ tissue. When tissue dies myoglobin is released into the blood supply. Myoglobin is very toxic to the renal tubular epithelium and may cause kidney failure. One of the blood test done after a heart attack is the testing for the amount of myoglobin in the blood stream. The larger amount of myoglobin found has a direct correlation to the amount of damage caused to the heart muscle by a heart attack.

High blood pressure will also cause damage to the filtering process of the kidneys.
Prevention is always better than a cure and knowing you are at risk for heart or kidney disease should go a long way in your ability to prevent long term damage to these vital organs. Take steps today to maintain a health life style and to improve the quality of life.

Common vitamins and and minerals can help with preventing disease such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, Cranberry Juice, Natural diuretics and Garlic.

Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Vitamin B taken together as a team perform vital biological processes including aiding in the healing process for congestive heart failure and reduces fluid retention. It is required for the development of red blood cells.

Vitamin C has been shown to combat the development of cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Within a few hours after receiving vitamin C patients showed a sharp decline in the cholesterol levels of the blood. Take 1,000 to 5,000 mg daily.

Vitamin E is known to help the red blood cells to live longer and keep them from breaking down too soon.

Cranberry Juice may also help prevent kidney and bladder infections. If you are taking COUMADIN then check with your doctor before using cranberry.

Natural diuretics are contained in cranberries, anything that has caffeine and apple cider vinegar. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and cucumbers contain a lot of water and will help increase urination.

Garlic counteract the usual result of high fats in the diet and to help reduce high blood pressure.

This report is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

2007年12月27日星期四

Why Horror Films Are So Popular

Horror films are designed to scare and disgust viewers with evil characters, plots and events that can range from realistic to completely supernatural. Nobody will ever really understand why people would prefer to put on a horror DVD rather than a nice, relaxing comedy that won't make you jump out of your seat. However, the horror genre has been around for years with classics from Dracula and Frankenstein to modern day versions such as The Hills Have Eyes and The Ring.

A horror DVD is the top choice for many people when it comes to selecting a film which is why this genre has remained a firm favourite amongst movie fans. Maybe it's to laugh at the story lines, pull faces at the disgusting bits or to get adrenalin pumping. One popular theory is that horror films touch on emotions that other films don't. After all what other kind of film can make you bury your head under the pillow, jump at the slightest noise or make you suddenly afraid of the dark?

People know that they can get a thrill from a horror DVD which you can't get from any other type of film. Viewers anticipate an adrenaline rush similar to the kind of felling you get before going on a big ride at an amusement park. That is one of the reasons why this genre of film is so popular - because people know exactly what they're getting and they know exactly what to expect.

People also enjoy the fact that when they are watching a horror DVD they are completely detached from reality. When completely engrossed in a film and sitting on the edge of your seat, it is easy to forget everyday stresses and problems and therefore is a great way to unwind for an hour and a half. This is something you are unlikely to achieve from a light - hearted film as you can probably get distracted very easily.

Perhaps the most obvious reason why horror films are so popular is because people like to watch them at Halloween. At a time when everyone is talking about ghosts, witches and unexplained occurrences, people like to put on a horror DVD and get in the spirit.

There is such a wide variety of horror films available from monster films, gory films, supernatural and slasher films so it is no surprise that there is something out there to appeal to everyone. With such an abundance of films to choose from horror films will probably always be a favourite amongst many people.

Why as a Beginner Investor Focus is Key

When you start investing in Real estate it is important to focus. There are many ways to create wealth investing in real estate but when starting out you don't want to be chasing everything that comes your way.

Many investors will do some research or attend a weekend 'boot camp' and come out all pumped it which is great. Where it can start to fall apart is when they try to implement every technique they have learned at once, sometimes on the same deal.

As a beginner you should pick the one or two avenues that interest you most and stick with them, make them work, you can then move on from there.

If you start trying to implement every strategy and apply it to every deal you find guess what you will accomplish?? You got it, nothing!!

Then your momentum slows and you lose belief in some things you learned and before you know it you are back where you started trying to get your self ready to act again which, by the way, can be tough.

When I started investing I focused on flipping a house, what an experience (more on that another time). But I looked for months before I found the house that was going to make it happen for me. And during that time I wasn't distracted with other opportunities I needed to get started and I had to focus on the thing that was going to get me there.

Since I have continually added new approaches to my portfolio and now do many things but each time I have something new on the go I need to focus on it. When you have experience with certain skills then I am an advocate of doing things simultaneously. Once you know that you can handle one situation there is no reason why you shouldn't be handling multiple situations all at the same time.

When starting your journey keep your eye on the goal, focus on where you want to and will be. Pick the one or two strategies that are going to take you there and focus on finding investments geared towards those strategies and make them work.

There will be times you are tempted to run in another direction and start a new chase for something else. But then you are starting right back a square one each time you change direction.

Get the first one done make it a milestone and then every thing else is starting from that point and the best part is that point will be further along the road you have been traveling than anyplace you have ever been before.

2007年12月26日星期三

Atrial Septal Defect- Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Atrial septal defect is an abnormality of the upper chambers of the heart (atria) where the wall between the right and left atria does not close completely. In general the defect is a hole in the wall (septum) between the top two chambers of the heart (atria). Arial septal defects occur in 4 percent to 10 percent of all children born with congenital heart disease. As a group, atrial septal defects are detected in 1 child per 1500 live births. Smaller atrial septal defects may close on their own during infancy or early childhood. The health effects of holes that remain open often don't show up until adulthood usually by age 40. Many people don't realize they have an atrial septal defect until then. Sometimes a doctor detects an atrial septal defect during a newborn exam, or during a routine exam later in life. Large and long-standing atrial septal defects can damage the heart and lungs. An adult who has had an undetected atrial septal defect for decades may have a shortened life span from heart failure or high blood pressure in the lungs. For children with very small ASDs, the ASD closes on its own about 90% of the time. However, most other ASDs must be closed. People with some types of heart defects, including certain rarer forms of ASD, are at greater risk of developing bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner surface of the heart.

The term "atrial septal defect" usually refers to holes in the atria resulting from a lack of atrial septal tissue, rather than those related to a condition called patent foramen ovale (PFO). Symptoms usually have manifested by age 30. Infants with larger atrial septal defects may have poor appetite and not grow as they should. Adults and infants may have signs of heart failure or arrhythmias. Congenital heart defects appear to run in families and sometimes occur with other genetic problems, such as Down syndrome. A genetic counselor can predict the approximate odds that any future children will have one. An atrial septal defect allows oxygen-rich (red) blood to pass from the left atrium, through the opening in the septum, and then mix with oxygen-poor (blue) blood in the right atrium. Complete closure occurs in most individuals. In 25-30% of normal adult hearts, however, a probe can be passed from the right atrium to the left atrium via the foramen ovale and ostium secundum.

The person also could develop heart or blood vessel damage and be at increased risk of having a stroke or getting a heart infection. Congenital heart defects of significance occur in approximately 8 in 1000 live births. Surgical closure of the defect is recommended if the atrial septal defect is large or if symptoms occur. Anticoagulants, often called blood thinners, can help reduce the chances of developing a blood clot and having a stroke. Anti-coagulants include warfarin (Coumadin) and anti-platelet agents such as aspirin. Keep the heartbeat regular. Examples include beta-blockers (Lopressor, Inderal) and digoxin (Lanoxin). Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics should be given prior to dental procedures to reduce the risk of developing infective endocarditis. Embolization (dislodgement of thrombi) normally go to the lung and cause pulmonary emboli. In an individual with ASD, these emboli can potentially enter the arterial system. In most cases, atrial septal defects can't be prevented. Consider talking with a genetic counselor before getting pregnant.

Treatment for Atrial Septal Defect Tips

1. Surgical closure of an ASD involves opening up at least one atrium and closing the defect with a patch under direct visualization.

2. Embolization (dislodgement of thrombi) normally go to the lung and cause pulmonary emboli.

3. Keep the heartbeat regular. Examples include beta-blockers (Lopressor, Inderal) and digoxin (Lanoxin).

4. Increase the strength of the heart's contractions. Examples include digoxin (Lanoxin).

5. Decrease the amount of fluid in circulation. Doing so reduces the volume of blood that must be pumped. These medications, called diuretics, include furosemide (Lasix).

6.Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics should be given prior to dental procedures to reduce the risk of developing infective endocarditis.

Importance of Girth

Men focus too much in adding extra inches in their penis that they take the girth of their penis for granted. They tend to use traction devices, exercises, pills, pumps, weights and surgery to improve themselves. It is a good thing that men are considering ways to provide solutions on their problems.
Nowadays, most men think that length is far more important than girth, without realizing that it takes both to make a woman happy. A good sized penis is a penis that has both adequate length and girth. You might be wondering why is girth important when you thought women like to feel the penis going deep inside. Yes, they do, but thats not enough. A long and thin penis will simply go up until it bangs against the cervix without giving a lot of pleasure.

You should remember, the pleasure zone for women - consists of roughly two inches of tissue rich in nerve endings located at the entrance of the vagina rubs the rubs against the penis when going in and out causing those delightful sensations women experience during sex. A thin penis is only going to stretch this area a bit. A thick penis, with a good girth, will stretch the area a lot and stimulate a bigger number of nerve endings that will give women more pleasure.

Clitoris is the focal point of pleasure for women. Unlike the male penis, which works both as a sexual organ and as a way out for urine, the clitoris has no other function than to make women happy. A thin penis is unlikely to brush against the clitoris and bring out moans of pleasure. Naturally, there are certain sexual positions that will make even a thin penis brush up against the clitoris, but this is not something that happens on a regular basis. A thick penis, however, may only need a slight adjustment of the penetration angle in order to reach the clitoris.

Length is important but it is only a part of what gives a good sexual experience. Girth is equally important in pleasure. Length does not work well without the girth.

2007年12月25日星期二

Acid reflux in children

It is well known by all of us that babies do spit up. For that, in the last years pediatricians have prescribed acid-suppressing drugs such as Prilosec and Zantac for babies with acid reflux. The most disappointing news is that no one can prove that these drugs are efficient.

Many studies were done in order to prove the efficiency of the mentioned drugs. A doctor called Ajay Kaul, which is a pediatric gastroenterologist in Cincinnati, tested 30 babies that were under 1 year old. 10 out of the 30 infants tested were dosed with a proton-pump inhibitor such as Prilosec, other 10 were treated with a H2 blocker like Zantac and the rest of the babies were untreated. Using a small wireless sensor that was introduced into the esophagus through the nose our specialist found out that the drugs did not reduce significantly the number of the spit-up incidents. His conclusion was that for the doses that he prescribed there was no noticeable difference between the treated and the untreated babies.

His research proved what many pediatric gastroenterologists have suspected.

Other specialists agreed with the fact that a very small percentage of babies with acid reflux will later develop problems such as respiratory ailments including asthma. More than that, specialists still argue about whether the acid reflux is the cause for later respiratory ailments or not.

It is also good to know the specialists opinion that says that acid reflux is normal for the vast majority of children and it does not require medication.

A common advice for parents is not to treat their children with medications. They should also know that babies reflux and they are going to outgrow it. A doctor from the SUNNY medical school in Buffalo called Robert Baker observed that nowadays parents often treat their children with medication. He says that parents should know that more that 50 percent of the children that have not passed the age of three months do spit at least once a day and 5 percent of the children between 10 and 12 months do the same thing. The question that rises know is whether the treatment will make children less irritable or the action will be seen only in parents eyes.

After the research that proved no effect of the medication in young babies with acid reflux, the same doctor began another study. This time he chooses a number of 100 subjects but the results were similar.

Strength Training For Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is one of the most exhilarating outdoor sports one can opt for. You can rock climb on a real rocky mountain or on an artificial rock wall, indoors. Rock climbing requires great skill, patience and above all the strength to climb rocks. Strength assists in improving the climbing ability, although it is no substitute for technique.

While climbing, one has to remember that before you start pushing and pumping your muscles for the strenuous rock climbing activity make sure that you have enough endurance and strength to deal with the training and the final rock climbing event. One thing more that an amateur climber should know is that strength training involves all the major muscle groups. Hence, strength training is needed so that all the muscles become supple and flexible enough to endure the rigors of this laborious activity.

A strength training program for rock climbing should concentrate upon the muscles of the legs, torso, midsection, arms, neck and forearms. And although the forearms are not contemplated as a major muscle group, their exercise is particularly important, as a climber should have a very strong grip.

There are a number of strength training programs laid down by various rock climbing training institutes that recommend a variety of exercise like:
. Leg extension
. Leg curl
. Hip adduction and abduction
. Pullover
. Lateral rise
. Chest-cross
. Triceps and lower back extension
. Biceps curl
. Neck extension and flexion
. Forearm extension and flexion.

All these above-mentioned exercises are single-joint exercises that help make the muscles strong enough for rock climbing. Just as there is a set of single joint exercises, similarly there is another set of exercises for multiple joint sets. All these exercises play a very major role in preparing the body of an individual for rock climbing and emphasize on high and low resistance. The exercises not only help in improving muscle strength, but also endurance as compared to standard training.

While doing these strength exercises, it is advised to opt for relatively slow lifting and less strenuous movements because the sport of rock climbing is very tensive and prohibits fast, momentum assisted repetition. To get the maximum benefits from strength training exercises, it is better to control the training speed but maintain a constant tension of the muscles so that they can build an endurance capability that will prevent your body from buckling even under intense pressure.

Strength training exercises are the best exercise activities to increase the functional capability of the musculoskeletal system. If the activities are performed with care and precision, they produce remarkable results in a short period of time. These basic strength-training exercises also suit hikers and can be safely recommended as part of an exercise regime that helps in the overall conditioning of the body.

A very interesting fact about strength training is that there is a considerable difference between the activity of climbing itself and strength training. Strength training allows a person to push his physical limitations to an extent where he can fail. In fact, it ensures that the resistance power of the body is increased. The activity of climbing absolutely forbids the climber to do so, as it can be very fatal.

2007年12月24日星期一

The C30: A New Breed of Volvo

For the longest time, Volvo has been known to produce safe but boxy cars. In the past decades though, the company has produced cars which are not only safe but also appeals to the demand and the likes of the younger generation car buyers. Developments in design architecture have allowed Volvo to create a new generation of Volvos.

In the United States auto market, the newest offering of Volvo Cars is its first compact car - the C30. The said compact vehicle is designed by Canadian-born Simon Lamarre. It was unveiled by the Swedish car company owned by the Ford Motor Company at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

Fredrik Arp, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Volvo Cars, has this to say about the development of their first compact car: We know there are large numbers of fairly young, successful people who are attracted by our brand, but who still cannot find a model in our range that exactly matches their taste and lifestyle. The Volvo C30 Design Concept was developed precisely for this group. From its inception, the Volvo C30 Project was focused on one primary demographic group: Young urbanites with accelerating careers and intensive, active lifestyles. Customer clinics allowed these people to voice their opinions and give their views on the cars design and technical content.

Meanwhile, Hkan Abrahamsson, the C30 Project Director, has this to add to what Arp stated: These customers move in a fast paced world between their homes, work, meetings, the gym and their favorite restaurants and nightclubs in town. Many of them describe their ideal mode of transport as nimble car designed to get them where they want to go. They focus on attractive design and entertaining driving properties and rarely have more than two people in the car.

The Volvo C30 combines striking styling cues, high-end entertainment system, high-performance engine, and a safe structure. Some of the design cues employed by the C30 are taken straight out of the Safety Concept Car. According to Abrahamsson, The Safety Concept Car (SCC) heralded a bold design language for Volvo. Its roots could be found in the classic proportions of the P1800 ES, but there was no denying that it was also a Volvo of the future. As it turned out, the SCC is an excellent reflection of our ambition for the C30 project.

The Volvo C30 employs the Scandinavian luxury theme employed by other Volvo models especially the award-wining Volvo XC90. On the outside, the use of two colors makes the C30 identifiable easily as a Volvo. Outside, the stylish headlamps and grille add to the aesthetic value of the C30. The taillight is unique to the C30 and is one of the more striking exterior design cues employed by the C30. The tailgate of the compact vehicle is a tribute to the past of the carmaker. 'This exclusive and nimble glass tailgate is inspired both by the classic Volvo P1800 ES and the SCC concept car, explains Steve Martin, Volvo Cars Design Director. The light pattern is so unusual that you'll never be in any doubt of which car you have in front of you, he added.

The car looks smaller than it really is. While on the outside it looks like a very small car, it is surprisingly roomy inside. The front seats of course offer adequate space for the driver and the passenger, the surprise comes with the rear seats which offer ample legroom and headspace even for grownups. The occupants of the slightly centered rear seats can have a good view through the front without having to adjust their position. Accenting the dashboard of the C30 is Volvos famous floating center stack. The space between the seats also showcases Volvo's super-thin, visually floating centre stack, bringing it into full view from behind through the glass tailgate, says Steve Martin.

In terms of entertainment, the C30 packs the Volvo Premium Sound System which is composed of: a 5x130 W digital ICE Power amplifier from Alpine, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround and 10 loudspeakers from Dynaudio of Denmark. This entertainment system complements the efficient parts used in the construction of the vehicle. Its mechanical components were designed to produce less noise while providing efficient operation. Components such as the Volvo power steering pump, suspension assembly, and power window motors to name a few operates without producing much noise or vibration.

Power of the small vehicle comes from 2.4-liter inline five cylinder turbocharged engine. With the added boost of the turbocharger, the engine can produce as much as 260 horsepower at 5500 revs per minute and 350 Nm of torque before it reaches 5000 revs per minute. Transferring the power of the engine to the drive wheels is a precision engineered six-speed manual transmission. With the smooth gear changes and that much power, Volvo claims that the C30 can reach speeds of 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill in just six seconds.

According to Abrahamsson, Sporty driving characteristics are a must to attract this customer category. A car that radiates muscular agility has to live up to its appearance once you slip behind the steering wheel. Its features include 19-inch aluminum wheels fitted with 19-inch aluminum wheels. Stopping power is provided by four-pot brakes equipped with aluminum calipers and 330 millimeters ventilated brake discs from Brembo. This brake assembly combined with a long list of safety feature that one can expect from a Volvo vehicle makes the C30 one of the safest compact cars in the market.

Men and Women Now Stop Hair Loss Using Herbal Hair Loss Products

Herbal hair loss products are the best and safest way to combat hair loss. This is because they have natural ingredients that dont cause the harsh side effects that synthetic drugs do. There are a number of herbal hair loss products that are available to help stop hair loss. You will want to check out each of them before you decide which one to use. Here are some of the different types of herbal products you can use.

One: Saw palmetto or Serenoa repens This product will effectively promote hair re-growth.

Two: Nettle root This is a popular product with a lot of people. This product inhibits the enzyme alphs5 reductase which causes hair loss.

Three: Gotu kola This product will improve the health of the skin and hair. It stimulates blood circulation in the brain and the scalp which then rejuvenates the hair follicles.

Four: Pumpkin or Cucurbita maxima This product is made from oil extracted from the seeds of pumpkins. This product is still being tested to see how well it helps with hair re-growth.

These four products are just a small demonstration of what is available. There are so many other types of hair loss products that you can choose from that are herbal products. You will want to do a search about each one before you try them. You will be able to figure out which one will work best for your hair loss.

If you cant, you will need to talk to someone that knows a lot about hair loss and the products that can be used to treat it, such as a doctor or a dermatologist, before you use any type of product. You want to be safe about what you use so that you dont cause yourself other types of problems.

Most of the herbal hair loss products will not have any or very little side effects. However, you have to know as much as you can about anything that you use. You dont want to use the first product that you find. It is important for you to check out as much information about each one as you can. When you know what it is used for and how it can help you, you will be able to decide which one you should use. Always remember that information will help you choose the best one for you. So do your homework before you decide anything.

2007年12月22日星期六

Heartburn Relief Options You Can Rely On

Heartburn relief is sought by the millions of people worldwide who experience the pain and discomfort of acid reflux. For the occasional and mild cases of heartburn, over the counter antacids may be sufficient to bring rapid relief. In severe cases, these antacids may be insufficient.

After dismissing the first few episodes of heartburn, all sufferers will consider the various heartburn remedies available. These can range from simple lifestyle and dietary changes to natural remedies to advanced pharmaceutical options. Information about these options can help one make the appropriate choices to get prompt relief.

Simple Heartburn Remedies

For the occasional heartburn episode, simple remedies will suffice. Understanding what triggers and why heartburns occur is the first step. The simple treatment plan for heartburn remedies involves a lot of common sense.

Since acid reflux is the main issue, attempts to dilute the acids should be taken first. This can be as simple as drinking a glass of water. Another simple thing to do is to chew gum. Chewing gum stimulates the generation of saliva which helps to neutralize the gastric acids.

The next most important step is to avoid foods and drinks that trigger heartburn. The common foods and drinks to avoid include the following:

1. Spicy dishes like those found in Indian and Mexican diets
2. Tomato rich dishes like those found in Italian pastas and pizzas
3. Chocolates, Donuts, Creamy desserts
4. Citrus based fruits and desserts; containing oranges and lemons
5. Certain forms of potatoes: mashed potatoes and French fries
6. Raw Onions
7. Caffeinated drinks, Alcoholic beverages
8. Some dairy products: sour cream, ice cream and cottage cheese

This is a common option to consider amongst the various heartburn remedies.

The pain of heartburn is usually at its worst when a sufferer lies down to sleep. The acid reflux unimpeded by gravity since the body is prone, regurgitates more caustic acids from the stomach thereby burning the esophagus and possibly the throat. The first thing to note is to avoid eating just before bedtime. As part of the common heartburn remedies to consider, have a reasonable sized meal avoiding the aforementioned foods and drinks at least two hours before bedtime. Next sleep with the head and upper torso raised - use additional pillows or raise the headboard. These two suggestions should help the heartburn sufferer get a more restful night's sleep.

Heartburn Remedies: The Pharmaceutical Options

In the case of people who suffer from chronic or a severe form of heartburn, medical practitioners will be able to suggest a course of treatment to bring about heartburn relief. Apart from lifestyle changes, certain medications may be part of the treatment plan.

H2-Receptor Blockers is a class of heartburn relief medication that reduces the secretion of acids in the stomach largely by blocking the actions of histamines. This type of medication has been around from the 1960s and was developed to bring relief for various ailments like heartburn, stomach ulcers and dyspepsia.

A distinct advantage of using H2-receptor blockers is that it can be taken before a meal to suppress the buildup of stomach acids and brings about heartburn relief for a chronic sufferer. An additional advantage is that the palliative impact of the medication lasts for than 6 hours. The heartburn symptoms are avoided and the singed esophagus gets an opportunity to gradually heal; especially in the case of chronic heartburn patients.

Currently, the most preferred medication; beating H2 receptor blockers, is another class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors work in a similar way to bring about heartburn relief but only more effectively. These drugs halt the secretion of enzyme generation in the gastric cells, instead of merely inhibiting the catalysts that cause the generation.

The inert inhibitors only become active when they enter the stomach. They block the generation of the caustic stomach acids and help the sufferer begin his or her road to heartburn relief. The proton pump inhibitors continue to work for more than two days.

Before any drugs are taken for heartburn relief, it is important to seek medical help to confirm the symptoms and the right dosages. While several options are available, it would be useful to note that the use of proton pump inhibitors have largely over taken the use of h2-receptor blockers in the treatment of chronic heartburn.

A Tip for Summer Driving:Save $200 in Gas by Checking Your Tires

One of the fastest ways to rob a vehicle of good gas mileage is to ignore the tires. There are many different ways that tires can affect the fuel economy of your car. Checking that you are riding on correctly inflated tires is one of the easiest ways to save money on fuel.

According to statistics provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Information Administration, the Possible savings of avoiding under inflated tires is between $100.00 to $200.00 per year depending upon how much you drive and how under inflated your tires may be.

Twenty-three per cent (23%) of cars have at least one (1) tire under inflated by more than twenty percent (20%) according to the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency. In addition to hurting your fuel consumption, under inflated tires can also lead to poor steering and delayed or bad braking. those factors describe situations where under inflated tires can be dangerous. Although using a tire gauge is the only way to be certain what pressure your tires contain, a telltale sign of under inflated tires are squealing when stopping or cornering even at moderate speeds, particularly on warm pavement.

Operating a vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 20% (8 psi) can increase the vehicle's fuel consumption by 4%. In addition it can reduce the life of the tire by over 9000 miles. Tires are permeable, meaning that air can and does leach through the tire walls. A tire can lose up to 2 psi (pounds of pressure) per month. This is even more critical in summer as more air is lost in hot weather as the pores in the tire material expand.

When a tire is under inflated, the sides of a tire bend and flex too much. This builds up heat. As stated earlier heat can accelerate air loss in tires. So an under inflated tire will continue to lose air at an increasing rate.

Under inflation also causes the tire to increase rolling resistance which also increases fuel consumption. In addition under inflated tires can cause serious damage to the tire walls can lead to sudden tire failure.

To maintain proper inflation levels, measure the air pressure in your vehicle's tires at least once a month. Measure your tire pressure when your tires are cold. "Cold" means that a vehicle has been stationary for at least three hours or has not been driven more than 1 mile.

It is a great idea to keep a pressure gauge in your car. Check the air pressure of the tires often. If you can keep your tires at the correct inflation levels you should realize a savings of between $100.00 and $200.00 per year in fuel. Although proper tire pressure will save you gas and money, it could also prevent tire damage that could lead to accidents. Not only will you be contributing to your fuel economy you will be maintaining the safety of your vehicle.

Motorcycle shops galore

No Claims Bonus is a term used to describe the number of years you have had Car Insurance without making a claim. Put simply, if you have had Car Insurance for 4 years and you have not made a claim in that time, then you have 4 years No Claims Bonus.

Stop and go traffic causes excess wear and tear on your vehicle. Go ahead and give your car a nice twenty minute ride at 55 mph on the highway every couple weeks if you major in short trips.

Learner drivers that pass the one hour driving assessment, will be offered a 21% reduction on their insurance. This is a substantial reduction for any new driver, particularly young males under 25 years of age, and well worth achieving. Just being in the possession of a provisional license will not suffice to pass this test.

Motorcycle shops galore

First things first, a motorcycle is basically a bicycle that is motorized. Though for some people, motorcycles have been synonymous with crime gangs, etc., They are currently quite popular as a practical alternative to vehicles.

Motorcycles are especially practical to use in urban areas where car sizes could be constrictive and eventually not ideal due to areas limited urban space.

Fortunately, the motorcycles small size has an advantage. It is also quicker to maneuver, accelerate and run compared to a bulky car.
Also, motorcycles are a lot more affordable than the common car.

There is also another motorcycle misconception which claims that riding motorcycles is more dangerous.

Though there are cases where injuries were sustained from accidents via motorcycles, most of such accidents are actually caused by drivers of four-wheeled vehicles.

Thankfully, there are now motorcycle shops that offer training to riders of motorcycles both new and those that have considerable motorcycle riding experience. Doing such helps prevent serious injuries and accidents in the long run.

Motorcycle shops are everywhere

There are now many motorcycle shops in various areas, the same way that there are car shops and companies.

One such motorcycle shop is Harley Davidson. This famous motorcycle company now offer dealerships which exclusively sell their latest models of motorcycles.

Since it was introduced back in 2002, Honda Insight's 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine and Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) motor-generator have been modified, and the CVT model's final drive ratio is considerably lower, at 5.69:1 compared to 3.21 for the manual, to take advantage of the CVT's wider-spread "gear'' ratios.

A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak. This is how my first car met its demise.

After you have finished filling up your tank, you should twist the gas pump nozzle a full 180 degrees. This will drain a bit more gas into your tank, sometimes up to an entire half cup. If you don't do this, the extra gas would just be a bonus to the next gas customer.

One motorcycle shop is called Total Motorcycle. This particular shop carries anything and everything for the biker who is just beginning to enjoy motorcycling to the experienced rider.

Some of the motorcycle-related items available at this shop include batteries, apparel, helmets, books, gloves, jackets, spares, tires, suits, bike loans, magazines, insurance, security, manuals, among others.

The following motorcycle brands are also carried in this motorcycle shop: KTM, Hinda, Harley, Buell, BMW, Ural, Triumph, Moto, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Victory, Hsyung.

Also, any motorcycle preference you may have in terms of style is also available at this motorcycle shop. This includes supersport, cruiser, classic, naked, standard, custom, MX, dirt, enduro, off road.

This particular motorcycle shop also offers shipping to any area in the United States, Canada, UK or Australia for free.

Another motorcycle shop is Concord. They have been in the motorcycle business for more than three decades. They claim that they are the best in the field thanks to their highly-knowledgeable sales staff.

All in all, there are also motorcycle shops that sell varying motorcycle brands. Therefore, for those who do plan to buy a motorcycle, wear your leather suits, helmet and begin to shop for the motorcycle ride of your life.

Gas prices are getting more and more ridiculous. And its going to keep increasing with no limit in sight! For the new car owners out there, do you know that a gallon of unleaded gasoline used to cost only $1.25?
More motorcycle products at Salehoo, all at wholesale prices. See my salehoo review.

Defensive driving is defined as being able to operate a motor vehicle with the skills to avoid an accident in a situation where one could possibly occur.

Everyone knows that car insurance companies are not all equal. Cheap car insurance is wonderful when paying the bill, but make a mistake on the company you select and you could find that the cheap car insurance policy that you found may turn into a nightmare. Cheap car insurance may not turn out to be so attractive when making a claim.

California Environmental and Toxic Tort Law

Environmental and Toxic Tort Law cases in California are often one and the same. In an age when the carelessness of large corporations seems endless and the public has awoken to environmental dangers such as global warming and pollution of groundwater, such cases can not only provide a measure of redress to injured plaintiffs but also assist in the fight against what some entities would do to our planet in the name of profit.

Individuals in their homes, at work, in school and during leisure or recreational activities are exposed to toxic chemicals, drugs, and mercury from the places they live, work, or elsewhere spend time and what they eat and drink and the cosmetics they use.

They can be damaged by exposure to asbestos, lead, mercury, zinc, chromium, TCE, PCBs, arsenic, benzene, beryllium, pesticides, silica, manganese, formaldehyde and other toxins from places and things they would never have expected. Examples include lead-paint covered toys, toxic chemicals not only in the groundwater and the tap water used by companies to fill bottled water.

But pollution can come from the air, from the water, from the soil, and from other sources one often doesnt consider. Pollution also comes from electro-magnetic fields, cigarette smoke, and mold in the home or at work.

Air pollution includes unhealthy levels in the air quality index, acid rain, indoor air quality, and particulate pollution from construction. Smog and haze arent just depressing, they can also be deadly when filled with types of pollution that is of particular risk to the elderly. Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and chlorofluorocarbons are just some of the chemicals one faces in every day life. Too much of any of these can cause severe problems including cancer and even death to most anyone, not to mention other damage to the ecosystem.

Water pollution can come from wastewater, surface runoff, sewage, waterborne diseases, water quality, oil spills, ship pollution, and ocean acidification, just to name a few sources. Soil pollution can come from herbicides, pesticides and even from invasive species. Among those soil contaminants people should be most concerned with, are MTBE, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Because it happened thirty years ago, many today are unfamiliar with or have forgotten the groundwater pollution case known as Love Canal. In the late 1970s, residents in the Love Canal area of New York were suffering from high rates of cancer and birth defects. The cause was traced to chemicals that had infiltrated into the groundwater and water supply from an industrial landfill. Hundreds of families were reimbursed for their damages but had to move from the area.

Radioactive contamination is becoming more and more of a problem. There is already plutonium in the environment, radium in the environment, uranium in the environment and other environmental radioactivity. Soon we will be hearing more about alpha emitters and actinides.

Recently there has been much publicity about the increase in bed bugs in hotels, schools and homes. When one goes on vacation, one must also worry about lice, ticks and other bugs that can be carried home. When one goes to the hospital or to the doctor, one can return with a more dangerous infection or virus than the problem the patient was originally concerned about.

While not a health risk, there is also visual pollution such as that caused from billboards, to the recent addition of advertising at the gas pump, in elevators and in public restrooms, as well as light pollution.

In the health field, pollution can come in the form of contamination of blood, from the environment of the hospital, the medications, thimerosal (a preservative used to prevent spoiling in vaccines) surgical implants, the beds or from other patients.

If you think a toxic material has caused or contributed to your injury call your toxic tort lawyer today

Yearning for Effective Relief from Heartburn

People experiencing heartburn can be very distressed by this condition. Also known as acid indigestion, heartburn is suffered by millions of people around the world. Some people suffer an episode of heartburn every once in a while and usually take antacids as heartburn treatment. Other people can suffer from this condition at least two or more episodes in a week, and this particular set of people has a more serious problem in their hands. Just recently, a new medical treatment for heartburn has arrived in the market, one that can make an important difference in the lives of these people. Heartburn medication is usually needed by this large group of people as they age, and only a few young individuals need to get any of the heartburn treatments.

Old people can end up needing heartburn medications because of a problem with a certain muscle that controls the flow of acid from the stomach and through the esophagus. This certain muscle usually weakens as people get older. The acid from the stomach moves backwards and into the esophagus, and since it is a vital part of the stomach, it easily tolerates this kind of acid, and the job of digestion that is carried out in the stomach. Because the esophagus do not allow this acid, the pain a person feels can be unbearable when the acid moves the stomach back into the esophagus. This action often occurs when the person lays down at night to sleep. This health condition is not only painful, but it can also add stress to the everyday life of a person because of their lack of sleep.

Patients who deal with heartburn have already welcomed the advances in medical treatments that has brought relief from this painful condition. Those medications and relief for heartburn are the result of extensive years of research by medical experts. Those people who only suffer occasionally from heartburn can make use of antacids that can be purchased over the counter. Many of these antacids are widely available at local drug stores, grocery stores, and convenience markets. These heartburn treatments are usually very effective for minor symptoms of acid indigestion.

Today, there is a heartburn medication that has made a significant difference for those who regularly suffer from heartburn. Prilosec is the first medication provided only with a prescription, but is now also available over the counter. Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor, a group of drugs whose main action is pronounced and long lasting reduction of gastric acid production, and are the most potent inhibitors of acid secretion available today. Usually, patients need to take this medication for two weeks to ensure proper treatment. This medication relieves the symptoms of heartburn for an extended period of time. This medication works in order to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach, so that it does not flow back into the esophagus. Regular visits to their physician should be done for good results. People dealing with heartburn should be aware of its symptoms and effects, so that prevention as well as treatment is covered in time.

Why We Need to Monitor Daily Crude Oil Prices

While there are all sorts of financial experts who watch economic trends and duly report their projections, we as consumers may also benefit from watching the rise and fall of the daily crude oil prices. Here are a couple of reasons why monitoring this activity may be in our best interests.

When the price of crude oil goes up, we see a direct impact on what we will pay for petroleum products in the future. Generally, the first increase we see is as the gas pump. Prices of gasoline begin to creep up. However, we may also find that the costs for such products as motor oil also begin to rise. How long the increase stays in effect and how far the gas prices rise will depend a great deal on the availability of crude oil, and how much it currently costs per barrel.

Along with impacting our personal transportation costs, a change in daily crude oil prices can also make a difference in what we pay for goods that are routinely shipped into our cities and towns. A good example of this would be produce. Only in very rare occasions do large chain grocery stores purchase fruits and vegetables locally. Generally, the produce that you purchase was shipped in from across the country, or at the very least from out of state. Increases in the costs of petroleum products will be partially absorbed by raising the prices for the produce.

We can depend on the daily crude oil prices to act as an accurate indicator of what we will be paying within the next few weeks. This is not just true for the gasoline we need for our transportation needs, but also such important items as food. As we all known, much of the food we consume is not grown locally and is often shipped in from other parts of the country, if not from foreign countries. For this reason, we need to keep abreast of the current price per barrel. When we do so, we have the opportunity to make adjustments in our budgets that will help us deal with the changes more effectively. Simply checking the newspaper or going online and getting the current cost per barrel can prevent any unpleasant surprises when you go for a tank of gas or head for the grocery store. Make it a habit to check every day and adjust your household operations accordingly.

2007年12月21日星期五

Travel to Egypt - Top 3 Egyptian Tourist Attractions

So you have the trip planned. You are on your way to Egypt. Visions of pyramids, vast desserts and great kings fill your mind. The idea of a great adventure makes your heart race and the adrenaline pump through your body. There are so many places to see. Egyptian Antiquities Museum, Al-Qalaa Citadel, Coptic Museum, Museum of Islamic Arts, Gayer-Anderson Museum, Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Mosque at Al-Azhar, Abdeen Palace Museum, Abu Sir Pyramids, Manial Palace Museum, just to name a few. But do you know where you absolutely must go to say that you had a complete adventure while in Egypt. There are three places that if you miss, you might as well not have even been to Egypt.

The Giza Pyramids

First place is of course the pyramids. The Giza Pyramids were built as tombs for the great kings of Egypt, and sometimes the queens as well. The driving force behind the pyramids construction was the desire for eternity. These world famous monuments were not in isolation but they were constructed as a part of the funerary complexes which include temples and shrines.

Imhotep is not an Egyptian dance but the famous architect that built and designed the first pyramid. This pyramid can still be seen today in Egypt. They are known as the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the first monument in Egypt to be made entirely out of hewn stone.

Did you realize that there are two types of pyramids that not all pyramids were made the same? While most of us believe that the heads on some of the pyramids represent kings actually meant something different.

Valley of the Kings

Ramsees XI was the last king of the New Kingdom and his is also the last king to have built a tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Most are sure though that he never used the tomb that he built.

What other secrets lay in wait for you here? Are there kings buried in the valley? Are the royal families buried there, as their final resting place before moving onto to eternity?

There are two main branches of the Valley of the Kings. There is the East Valley where most of the tombs are located. There is also the West Valley and here you will find only a few tombs and some pits.

Abu Simbel Temples

As the story goes, back in 1813 a man named J. L. Burkhardt stumbled upon an amazing site and brought it to the attention of many Europeans. He came across the facade of two temples built to as a dedication to Ramesses II, and the other to his wife, Nefertari.

With these being such incredible finds, it led to many Victorian travelers to make the trek up the Nile and that at times they would get there to find the temples completely covered in sand. You can still see these amazing temples as they were hundreds of years ago, but not where they were built originally. What do I mean by that?

As you can see there are tourist attractions galore for any visitor to Egypt, but there are only three that you absolutely must see in order for your trip to be considered complete. These three sites give you the adventure that you have been dreaming about for your trip.

2007年12月20日星期四

Cutting through the clutter of American Bodybuilding Products

To say that building adequate muscle mass can be difficult without a little help from supplemental products would be an understatement. In fact, the majority of bodybuilders utilize these types of enhancements to help shorten the time it takes to achieve the physique they are looking for. While there are a plethora of products on the market today, it can be overwhelming to cut through the clutter and choose the best supplement for your needs.

As a bodybuilder, it can be frustrating to workout consistently and not see areas of improvement. Often times, people will consider the use of supplements to increase their results. With this decision comes the confusion of which product to purchase. Most people think that in order to get the best product on the market they need to pay a premium price. After all, you get what you pay for, right? While this is often true, when it comes to American Bodybuilding Products, there are a wide variety of affordable alternatives that will allow the user to achieve maximum results.

There are many big name American Bodybuilding Products on the market with huge promotional budgets backing them up. And while these American Bodybuilding Products allow the user to see quick benefits, there are many lesser-known supplements that provide equivalent if not better results without the hefty price tag. It pays to be a thrifty shopper when looking for quality supplements. Why pay for the promotional budget of the big name brands, when you can see the same progress and save a little extra cash with a off brand product?

While many people consider a natural foods store or a pharmacy the best place to purchase supplements, one of the most economical places to acquire these American Bodybuilding Products is via the Internet. In addition to providing a wide variety of vendors, going online is a great way to do price comparisons and receive the best value for your dollar. Many wholesale sites offer excellent products at a fair price.

With so many products to choose from, often it is hard to know which are the best. Over the past few years, Universal has become known as a provider of excellent American Bodybuilding Products, such as Universal Nutrition Gain ($20 US) and Animal Max Protein ($10 US). With fair pricing and good results, many have come to sing this companys praises. Other sites worth a visit include getbuf.com and illpumpyouup.com.

Because bodybuilding supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is crucial to have acute awareness of potential side effects of these products. In addition, there are several supplement products that have been banned by the FDA because of potentially life threatening complications. As with any drug, it is important to know the possible problems that could arise when taking them, and if there are any drug interaction issues.

In addition, it is always a good idea to consult a trainer or other fitness professional before considering supplements. They can give you a better idea of which ones will provide optimal results. Remember, with the right products and a thorough understanding of there affects you put your best foot forward as a bodybuilder.

2007年12月19日星期三

Basics of Three Phase Power

Three phase power is a technique of electric power broadcast using three different wires. Three phase power systems might also have a neutral wire, which permits the system to use a higher voltage while yet permitting lower voltage single phase appliances. In high voltage allocation, it is not general to have a neutral wire, as the loads could merely be connected between phases.

Three phase power is extremely well-organized form of electrical power distribution. All three wires bear the same current value and have a continually balanced power load. Three phase power does not usually power household homes, and when it does, a main allocation board splits the load. Most domestic home loads use single phase power. Conductors used in the three phase power method are actually color-coded. Most of the countries carry their own color codes. The color codes of the wires differ in a great way. There might be a typical for each fixing process, or there might be no standard at all.

Three phase power run begins in a power station. An electrical power producer converts automatic power into sporadic electric currents. After various debates in the distribution and broadcast network, the custom power is transformed into the standard mains voltage transformer. At this point, the power might already have been split into single phases or into three phases. With three phase power, the output of the voltage transformer is usually star linked with the mains voltage, 230 volts in Europe and 120 volts in North America.

Electric motors are the most ordinary use in the system of three phase power. A three phase induction motor combines high efficiency, a trouble-free design and a high beginning torque. Three phase electric motors are usually used in industry for fans, blowers, pumps, compressors and as well for many other types of motor driven equipment. A three phase power motor is less expensive than a single phase motor of the same voltage and rating.

Few other systems that use three phase power comprise air conditioning tools, electric boilers and bigger rectifier systems. The actual reasons for using the three phase power system are effectiveness and cost-cutting measure. While most three phase motors are pretty huge, there are examples of very tiny motors, such as computer fans. An inductor circuit inside the fan converts DC to a three phase AC current. This serves to reduce the noise, as the torque from a three phase motor is extremely smooth, and it also improves reliability.

Popular Shoes Selections

Every family member needs one type of shoe for every outfit that is worn. The categories for shoes always include styles for women, men, girls and boys. There are even shoes for babies and toddlers and most assuredly there are shoes for any type of athletic event that can be offered at school or home. Some people are so overwhelmed by the categories that they are hesitant to shop for any of them.

Men used to be the easiest people to buy shoes for. The outfits that they used to wear to work consisted of a suit and tie with dark shoes to match. The work clothes selections are just as numerous as the shoes styles offered for them and finding one particular pair to take home is sometimes considered a hard thing to accomplish.

Men can wear loafers with their suits or casual pants and never feel out of place at work. They can also select an oxford if they want to add a bit of flair and style to a suit and tie that they plan to wear on a certain day. Men also have the choice of dressing in style with the dress shoes selections in any store that is visited.

Selecting shoes for men to wear at anytime of the day is not so simple to do anymore. Men also must consider which sandals to wear when they are off work and want to be comfortable. The stylish sandals offered to men consist of exquisite leathers styled with buckles or thongs that make sounds when they walk. Sandals can be casual around the pool, or they can be stylish enough to wear to dinner.

Selecting shoes for women to wear is a major feat and a very decisive process must be followed. Women who pamper their feet with pedicures will typically prefer to adorn their feet with a variety of sandals. Some of these sandals will have heels that are 4 inches high with straps that encircle the ankles and look very stylish with any outfit in the closet.

If a woman wants to wear a skirt to work, then she buys shoes that have a certain amount of drama to them. Every part of a women's dress ensemble will be under scrutiny by men and women at work and the woman will be very conscious of this fact. They might choose to be very stylish if the weather outdoors is frigid and put boots on when they leave the house to keep the upper leg warm all day long.

Women can find many popular styles of pumps, wedges and flats to wear to work too. Online retailers keep pace with the busy lives of women by keeping their shops open 24-hours a day. Women can drop by their favorite retailers to get a quick preview of the most favorite styles and buy one or two real quick before they are on to doing something else in the house. Women can have a lot of fun picking and choosing from the selections offered online, and like having them delivered to their homes through the mail system.

Glenmorangie Scotish Whisky

Glenmorangie
Single Highland Rare Malt Scotch Whisky

Few distilleries have been as transformed I the malt explosion as Glenmorangie. 'In til 1970s there were two stills and we were selling five cases of malt a year," says manager Graham Eunson. 'Now we've go( eight stills, we're the biggest selling malt in little chance that success will breed complacency here on the northeast coast; for this is a firm that is forever asking why trying out new ideas, trying to grasp the elusive secret of Scotch. You might expect space-age control panels, but you won't find any.

'I've yet to be convinced of the benefits) computerization in a distillery,' says Graha 'And I'm yet to be convinced that the capit expenditure needed to install computerization justifies laying a man off. you replace a mashman with computer equipment then you have to employ an evei more expensive engineer to solve any problems.' That was music to the ears of Brian Gilmour, who was mashing as we chatted. He was turning valves, nudging the temperature this way and that, and always listening; for, as he explained, part of his jol is knowing the significance of each sound -whether it's the change in pitch of the pump or the switchers girning away. 'The fact it's manual keeps you involved,' he says. 'It giv< it that personal touch - and there's always something to be done!'

It means that Glenmorangie's long-running 16 Men of Tain campaign is no PR gloss. Neither are these old guys looking back with rose-tinted glasses. This is a youni team well aware of the needs of today's J industry, but faithful to tradition. 'I'm a traditionalist, but a realist as well,' says Graham. T don't believe in change for change's sake and altering production to cu the workforce is beyond me. Can you imagine if Glenmorangie was the 16 megabytes of Tain?'

The workforce here understands their distillery's little quirks - from the use of ha water to the tall, slim stills that stand like elegant pillars in the cathedral-like stillhou Their height and narrowness means not only this there's considerable interplay between vapour and copper, but that only the lightest Vti pours can force their way to the top. But running four wash and four spirit stills at-the mme time takes great skill, especially as some of them behave differently. The longest serving man here, Kenny McDonald, has had .1 running battle with Number Two wash still tor years,' says Graham. 'You can come in and he's yelling at it. It just doesn't behave.'

The water and stills each play their part in creating Glenmorangie's spicy, pear-drop and apple character, but it is rounded out and given added complexity by a wood policy, masterminded by Bill Lumsden, that's among the tightest in the industry. Not only does the firm now insist on using only ex-Bourbon casks made from air-dried wood from certain slopes in the Ozarks, but it also controls what type of warehouses are used to age the Glenmorangie stocks.

The 10-year-old, for example, has a recipe for first and second fill wood, so certain types of casks are placed in certain types and areas of warehouses. They are pinning it down to the microclimate within each warehouse. With an ever-expanding range of finishes and plans to release a malt made from barley grown on its own farm, the range just keeps growing. Graham believes this is the difference between a malt-led company and a blend-led one.

I worked for a blend-led firm before this and you were a number. The people who took the decisions on whether you are open or shut didn't know who they were affecting or how their decisions impacted on people and communities. The guys here have strong feelings about Glenmorangie's success. They are the custodians of the distillery and the fact that they make something that's known worldwide gives them enormous pride.'

TASTING NOTES

Glenmorangie 10-year-old
The benchmark distillery style: pear drops, light orange and citrus fruit, light spice and a crisp note. Delicate but with a good, smooth and soft body.

Glenmorangie 15-year-old
finished in new wood 43%ABV Creme brulee, orange peel and vanilla. Light spice and a hint of sooty wood. A mix of bracing air and vanilla on the finish.

Glenmorangie Cellar 13
aged in first-fill casks A fragrant nose with apple blossom, fresh pear, ozone and lemon icing. Soft and long, with a great mix of blossom-like top notes, a creamy palate and a salty tang on the end. Brilliant. Finishes all 43 %ABV

Port Wood has touches of anise, red fruit, spices and a long rosehip syrup finish; Sherry Wood has full-on oloroso notes, tending to nut and spice with some cake mix and pear; and Madeira Wood is a fascinating mix of dried mushroom, spice and charred wood ending with a salty tang.